National Collection Holder Brian Fearn was awarded the 2010 Brickell Award for excellence in cultivated plant conservation at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

In his introduction, Chris Brickell, pictured left demonstrating one of Brian's Lithops, said "The award this year is given to someone who has devoted a great deal of time and energy to the taxonomy of an important group of South African succulent plants. His work and collection has outstanding scientific value, providing great continuity and range."

Half a century's work has gone into Brian's Lithops collection which has Scientific status. He began researching Lithops in the 1960s and his collection today contains 500 accessions of species, varieties and forms. Brian is also a world authority on the cactus genus Echinopsis, having started the Abbey Brook Cactus Nursery while he was still at University. Plant Heritage published his book The Echinopsis Hybrids of Abbey Brook Cactus Nursery last year.